Core Group Makes Holly Ball a Success

There may be just 17 members of the Nightingale Auxiliary of the Children’s Home Society of California. But they still managed to ring up net proceeds of more than $40,000 at their annual Holly Ball, held Saturday at the Westin South Coast Plaza Hotel in Costa Mesa.

With more than 300 guests donating $150 per couple, co-chairwomen Diane McKee and Winnie Keane attributed the event’s success to hard work and the fanciful treasures on the auction block.

After dining on medallions of beef and veal with mustard and Madeira sauces, guests danced until emcee Ronald Bayer kicked off the program. His wife, AinaCQ, auxiliary president, thanked guests.

Honorary chairman of the gala was Vic Braden, tennis coach, author and psychologist, who told guests of a turning point in his life. Caught stealing when he was 11, Braden said, he later met a caring man who taught him that “one kind thing changes a lot of lives.” Braden lauded the auxiliary for giving a chance to young people “who think they have no chance.” (Children’s Home Society helps families with pregnancy counseling, adoption, public education, day-care and foster-care services, and with the Orange County KIDCARE hot line.)

With auctioneer Dennis Ash leading the bidding, the Bayers donated $2,900 for a gold and diamond bracelet; Jerry and Linda Kessler paid $1,850 for an amethyst and diamond pendant; Tom and Pepper Yerke anted up $2,200 for a fox coat; Joe and Cindy Shuff paid $1,900 to fetch a trip to Innsbruck, and Russell and Sue Leatherby bid $1,700 for a London holiday.